What are your chances of acceptance?
Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
Loading…
UCLA
Loading…
+ add school
Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Spilling the Tea on the Hardest AP Exam

So, I've heard loads of rumors about which AP exam is the toughest, but I'm still not sure I believe it. What do you guys reckon is the hardest AP exam? Totally curious to hear your thoughts.

3 months ago

Determining the "hardest" AP exam can depend on various factors including a student's strengths, weaknesses, interests, and the specific teacher they have for that course. However, if we go strictly by pass rates (students scoring 3 or above), the ones that have consistently low pass rates are AP English Literature and Composition, AP Physics 1, and AP Chemistry. These subjects often require a deep understanding of complex concepts and heavy memorization.

On the other end, some students find the content and format of exams such as AP U.S. Government, AP Environmental Science or AP Psychology to be easier, shown via higher pass rates.

However, this doesn't automatically mean one test is harder or easier than another. For example, a student with a strong interest in English and a knack for analyzing literary texts might find the AP English Literature exam easier than an AP Spanish exam, despite having a generally lower pass rate.

Therefore my advice would be, look through the exam formats provided by the College Board and consider your strengths and interests before deciding which AP exams to take. Don't be deterred simply by a low pass rate; instead, consider your own individual skills and interests.

3 months ago

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.